deepakvrao
Forerunner
I travel a few times a year. I almost never bring anything back, other than small stuff within limits. Of course few times I have brought in big items too.
Every time I go out, I go to the 1st floor, beyond the immigration and 'declare' that we [wife and I] are taking bicycles out, so we need an 'export' certificate. Every time the guy [last time a lady] says that we don't need it, as on return they will not bother about cycles. Every time I insist, and it's an uphill task to get one but I do manage. Hell of a hassle, as we have to lug our bikes up where trolleys are not allowed, and bring them down again for check in. Anyone in Bangalore will know the layout of the airport. Stupidly designed.
Sure enough when we return, we are harassed about the bikes and we certainly need to show the export certificate. Is it all a racket to extort money when you return?
I have never paid a bribe at customs, but if a bribe were to save me money over the official duty, I would have no hesitation in saving the money and paying the bribe. This is India, and it will never change, and no amount of protests by Anna Hazare will make any difference. The bribe goes to the guys pocket, while the duty goes to some politician in the end.
Every time I go out, I go to the 1st floor, beyond the immigration and 'declare' that we [wife and I] are taking bicycles out, so we need an 'export' certificate. Every time the guy [last time a lady] says that we don't need it, as on return they will not bother about cycles. Every time I insist, and it's an uphill task to get one but I do manage. Hell of a hassle, as we have to lug our bikes up where trolleys are not allowed, and bring them down again for check in. Anyone in Bangalore will know the layout of the airport. Stupidly designed.
Sure enough when we return, we are harassed about the bikes and we certainly need to show the export certificate. Is it all a racket to extort money when you return?
I have never paid a bribe at customs, but if a bribe were to save me money over the official duty, I would have no hesitation in saving the money and paying the bribe. This is India, and it will never change, and no amount of protests by Anna Hazare will make any difference. The bribe goes to the guys pocket, while the duty goes to some politician in the end.